Stacey Smoker
Since its humble beginnings in 1989, NAHA finalists and industry elite have brought this iconic photographic beauty competition to new heights year after year. NAHA continues to recognize the beauty industry’s most talented artists and advance the careers of stylists around the world. Nothing makes us happier than meeting artists we REALLY want to root for… Good people who love the industry, value education and aren’t afraid to put in the hard work.
What one word describes how you felt when you found out you were a finalist?
Hyperventilate
What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter competitions?
-DO IT!!! Pushing yourself to create and put the absolute best of your creative soul out into the world to be judged forces your growth. The focus, dedication, time and self motivation it takes to create something that before you made it, only existed in your mind, makes you a winner. NO. MATTER. WHAT!
Beyond hair, what other creative outlets do you have?
I paint, scrapbook, act and I sing(ish)…I have 2 go to kareoke songs…and that’s enough!
Tell us your life story in 3 sentences.
I was born in “the-middle-of-nowhere” Pennsylvania, a place that taught hardwork, discipline and strong values but also helped develop an VERY active imagination!
The first time I came to visit NYC I was 20, I stood on the street corner, took a deep breath and felt for the first time like I could “really breath”, thats when I knew I had to get myself to this city or die trying…thankfully I succeeded!
I wake up every day with the goal of getting better, that means that there is ALWAYS work to do or something to learn or boundries to push and I strive daily to inspire others to do the same.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
Something creative but probably more business oriented. I have a strong head for the business side of things…I was an actor when I first came to NYC and I always thought I’d make a great Agent.
Whats your biggest fear in life or your career?
In life it’s the “what if”, I dont want to be on my death bed with a list of should’ves and could’ves.
In career it’s the retirement thing. I am terrified of my body breaking down before I can afford to stop working.
Real life advice to someone entering the world of cosmetology.
It can be an incredible career, but you only get out of it what you put into it, so give it EVERYTHING and then, give more. Do the extra work, put in the extra time and FIND MENTORS!!! Oh! And be patient with yourself and the process. You dont become a master overnight, it takes years of practice and dedication and you’ll never accomplish anything just spending your free time on your phone! Put the phone down! Go find a model, practice on a mannequin or simply observe those more skilled than you. Give it everything!
I knew i was a Hair Nerd when…
I went to cosmetology school and realized that my hands had known what to do before my brain understood why. And again, years later, when I pulled out the periodic table to answer a color question in a class I was teaching! Lol! NOT something “normal” hair stylists do I was told later…oh well, I’ve never been exactly “normal”!